Exterior Trim
Pure Grain. For folks who appreciate the look of wood but prefer the life span of vinyl, CertainTeed has engineered a middle ground. The company's Restoration Millwork exterior trim now includes a line of vinyl one-piece corners and trim boards molded after natural rough-sawn cedar for a more natural appearance. TrueTexture products carry a 25-year warranty and cut easily with traditional woodworking tools. Prices vary by piece. CertainTeed, 800/233-8990, www.certainteed.com
Paint It Black. Makers of cellular PVC exterior trim warn that painting their products dark colors can intensify the effects of expansion and contraction and lead to warping. However, Sherwin-Williams says its new VinylSafe paint has no such effect: According to the company, all 100 shades reflect light so effectively they can be applied to cellular PVC with no risk of warping. The paint costs $39 for flat, $42 for satin, and $43 for gloss. Sherwin-Williams Co., 800/474-3794, www.sherwin-williams.com
Easy Newels. Looking for maintenance-free, ready-to-install newels and porch posts? Railing Dynamics' Endurance posts consist of aluminum columns — rated at 2,500, 5,000, or 8,500 pounds — covered by a molded vinyl sleeve prefinished in white, sand, or earth. They come with three mounting options: flush and through-deck mounts, and a wind-uplift kit. Prices start at $120 for a 4-inch-by-4-inch porch post and $150 for a 5-inch-by-5-inch porch post. Railing Dynamics, 877/420-7245, www.rdirail.com
Housewrap
Double-Bagged. Sometimes one layer of housewrap isn't enough — but who wants to buy two different products and double-wrap the building? For twice the protection from just one application, check out Benjamin Obdyke's Home Slicker Plus Typar. The maker claims that this combined rain screen and water-resistive barrier offers exceptional water holdout, water-vapor transmission, and resistance to sunlight damage. It costs $155 per 200 square feet. Benjamin Obdyke, 800/523-5261, www.benjaminobdyke.com
Good Exposure. Need a housewrap that can protect your project from the elements for an extended period? Johns Manville says its UV- and tear-resistant Gorilla Wrap is good for at least six months of exposure time. The translucent material keeps studs, nails and windows visible for easy installation. It costs $35 for a 3-foot-by-100-foot roll and $90 for a 9-foot-by-100-foot roll. Johns Manville, 800/654-3103, www.gorillawrap.com
Farewell, Fasteners. In areas where driving rain is an issue, fastener holes can be a source of moisture penetration. Grace has a solution: Its Perm-A-Barrier VP membrane goes on as a spray, no fasteners needed. The acrylic fluid cures into a vapor-permeable monolithic sheet that keeps out liquid water. A 5-gallon container sells for $135, a 55-gallon drum for $1,350. Grace Construction Products, 800/354-5414, www.graceconstruction.com
